Cost: $20 per person
Register On-Line using a credit (Online registrations include a nominal processing fee) or contact Tina Smith, 413-545-5306 or email tsmith@umext.umass.edu
Agenda
- Monitoring for Pests at Volante Farm's Greenhouse, Jim Mussoni, IPM Consultant
- Introduction to Using Biological Control and Examples of Biologicals, Ryan Conroy, Volante Farm
- Demonstration on Using Beneficial Nematodes, Ryan Conroy, Volante Farm
- Grower Panel, Q&A and Discussion
Do you purchase plants from wholesale growers who use biocontrol to manage pests? Learn to continue the practice of managing pests using biological control in retail greenhouses.
Many wholesale growers of spring crops are now using biological control such as predatory mites and parasitic wasps to manage pests in their greenhouses. Pests are best managed in retail greenhouses when biocontrol agents continue to be applied to plants especially if plants are being finished or grown for several weeks.
"Grower to Grower" meetings are a way to learn from each other about things that work and things that don’t. There is limited space, registration on first come first serve basis.
Volante Farms is a family-run farm stand and garden center. Their retail greenhouse is a 16,000 sq. ft. gutter-connected greenhouse with efficient features including rainwater collection, heated floor and shade curtains and they use biological control to manage pests. Our host will be Dave Volante. Dave will demonstrate using beneficial nematodes, pest management strategies and discuss their monitoring techniques.
3 PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION credits have been approved for category 26.
Coffee and light refreshments will be available.
